Hawaii247.com | Hawaii 24/7

Mobile version of video
Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

A new Skyline Solar High Gain Solar 1000 system at the Kona headquarters of Metcalf West, a construction firm specializing in the low-cost development of affordable housing, was dedicated on Tuesday (Aug 31) in Kona with Governor Linda Lingle on hand for the ceremony.

Instead of a normal flat photovoltaic panel the system uses reflectors to concentrate the sun’s rays upon strips of high gain solar panels. The result is a 90% reduction in the amount of expensive silicon solar cells used. The high heat generated from the concentrated sun would normally reduce the efficiency of the system so the cells are backed by cooling fins to keep temperatures down.

For more info on Metcalf West go to: www.metcalfwest.com

For more info on the solar system go to: www.skyline-solar.com
Governor Linda Lingle was on hand for the d

MEDIA RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Black & Decker Random Orbit Sanders

Units: About 192,000

Manufacturer: Black & Decker (U.S.) Inc., of Towson, Md.

Hazard: The black plastic disc (called the platen) that holds the sandpaper can fly off or break apart during use and the disc, or pieces of the disc, can hit the user or those nearby, posing a laceration hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Black & Decker has received 73 reports of incidents involving the sander’s black plastic disc (platen) breaking or falling apart, including 15 reports of injuries from flying pieces, one of which involved a serious facial laceration.

Description: This recall involves Black & Decker random orbit sanders with model numbers RO400, RO400G, RO410, RO410K, RO410LW and FS3000ROS and date codes between 200701 and 200929. The sanders are orange and black. “Black & Decker” is printed on the sanders. The model number is printed on a label on the sander. The date code is stamped on the underside of the sander where the dust bag is inserted.

Sold at: Home center, hardware and discount stores and by authorized Black & Decker dealers nationwide from January 2007 through July 2009 for about $40.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled sanders and contact Black & Decker for a free replacement platen to hold the sandpaper.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Black & Decker toll-free at (866) 220-1767 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.blackanddecker.com

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

MEDIA RELEASE

An update of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for Hawaii County and State is the result of a local planning process designed to guide economic growth.

The CEDS was originally produced in 2005 and an update has recently been completed for Hawaii County by the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board (HIEDB) with funds provided by the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) and County of Hawaii.

Updates for the other counties have also been done and the statewide proposed CEDS is available for review online at http://hawaii.gov/dbedt/op/ with comments being solicited until Sept. 23.

A public information meeting on the CEDS is 9 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 9 at the Aupuni Conference Center in Hilo.

In accordance with criteria established by the EDA, HIEDB worked to ensure that the CEDS is “the result of a continuing economic development planning process, developed with broad based and diverse community participation, and contain the following:

* An analysis of economic and community development problems and opportunities including incorporation of any relevant material or suggestions from other government sponsored or supported plans;
* Background and history of the economic development situation of the area covered, with a discussion of the economy, including as appropriate, geography, population, labor force, resources, and the environment;
* A discussion of community participation in the planning efforts;
* A section setting forth goals and objectives for taking advantage of the opportunities and solving the economic development problems of the area serviced;
* A plan of action, including suggested projects to implement objectives and goals set forth in the strategy; and performance measures that will be used to evaluate whether and to what extent goals and objectives have been or are being met.”

The CEDS process helps create jobs, fosters more stable and diversified economy, and improves living conditions. It provides a mechanism for coordinating the efforts of individuals, organizations, local governments, and private industry concerned with economic development.

Additionally the CEDS process helps to qualify Hawaii for EDA assistance under its public works, economic adjustment, and most planning programs; and is a prerequisite for designation by EDA as an economic development district (EDD). Finally, the CEDS serves resource to assess as an excellent many of the economic development activities in Hawaii.

For additional information, call HIEDB at 935-2180.

MEDIA RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer products. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Sand & Water Transportation Station Toys

Units: About 56,000 in the United States (7,700 in Canada)

Distributor: Step2 Company, of Streetsboro, Ohio

Hazard: The light blue plastic wheels on the train cars can detach, posing a choking hazard to young children.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The Step2 ® Sand & Water Transportation Station is a standalone play station for children ages two and up. The toy station consists of: a round blue plastic table, including train tracks, train cars in blue, red and yellow, toy sailboats and a hand rake/shovel. A red Step2 logo decal is on the side of the table. Train cars with grey wheels are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Target and other major retailers, specialty stores and by online retailers from December 2008 through June 2010 for between $49 and $59.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately take the train cars away from children and contact Step2 for free replacement cars.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Step2 at (800) 347-8372 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s website at www.step2.com

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1151

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

MEDIA RELEASE

Hawaii, September 7- Average retail gasoline prices in Hawaii have fallen 6.7 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.42/g yesterday. This compares with the national average that has fallen 0.2 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.68/g, according to gasoline price website HawaiiGasPrices.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Hawaii during the past week, prices yesterday were 11.1 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 9.0 cents per gallon lower than a month ago. The national average has decreased 9.3 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 11.4 cents per gallon higher than this day one year ago.

“With gasoline supply closing the summer driving season out at the highest levels since records began in 1990, there will be significant pressure for prices to fall, especially if hurricane season doesn’t make a large impact on high supply numbers,” says Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst. “Combine those high supply numbers with typically weak autumn gasoline demand numbers, and fundamentals easily merit lower gasoline prices than we’re currently seeing,” he says. DeHaan projects that average prices across the U.S. could fall as much as 10-20 cents per gallon in the next four to eight weeks as refiners move out cheaper winter gasoline. He says that while hurricane season is something that could temporarily impact gasoline prices, any impact would be very short lived given the high supply and weak demand of gasoline.

About HawaiiGasPrices.com

GasBuddy.com operates over 200 live gasoline price-tracking websites, including HawaiiGasPrices.com. GasBuddy.com was named one of Time magazine’s 50 best websites and to PC World’s 100 most useful websites of 2008.

MEDIA RELEASE

The first observance of Labor Day is believed to have been a parade of 10,000 workers on Sept. 5, 1882, in New York City, organized by Peter J. McGuire, a Carpenters and Joiners Union secretary. By 1893, more than half the states were observing a “Labor Day” on one day or another, and Congress passed a bill to establish a federal holiday in 1894. President Grover Cleveland signed the bill soon afterward, designating the first Monday in September as Labor Day.

Who Are We Celebrating?

154.4 million
Number of people 16 and older in the nation’s labor force in May 2010.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/empsit.pdf

Employee Benefits

83%
Percentage of full-time workers 18 to 64 covered by health insurance during all or part of 2008.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United
States: 2008

http://www.census.gov/prod/2009pubs/p60-236.pdf

78%
Percentage of workers in private industry who receive a paid vacation as one of their employment benefits.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as cited in the Statistical
Abstract of the United States: 2010 Table 640

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

Our Jobs

Americans work in a variety of occupations. Here is a sampling:

Occupation                                Number of employees
Teachers                                            7.2 million
Chief executives                                    1.7 million
Janitors and building cleaners                      2.1 million
Computer software engineers                         1.0 million
Aerospace engineers                                 137,000
Electricians                                        874,000
Registered nurses                                   2.8 million
Social workers                                      729,000
Clergy                                              441,000
Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists       773,000
Chefs and head cooks                                351,000
Customer service representatives                    1.9 million
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs                         373,000
Firefighters                                        293,000
Roofers                                             234,000
Pharmacists                                         243,000
Machinists                                          409,000
Musicians, singers and related workers              186,000
Artists and related workers                         213,000
Gaming services workers (gambling)                  111,000
Tax preparers                                       105,000
Service station attendants                           87,000
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers and weighers 751,000
Farmers and ranchers                                751,000

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as cited in the Statistical
Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 603

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

7.6 million
Number of workers who hold down more than one job. So-called moonlighters comprise 5 percent of the working population. Of these, 4 million work full time at their primary job and part time at their other job.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as cited in the Statistical
Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 596

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

284,000
Number of moonlighters who work full time at two jobs.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as cited in the Statistical
Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 596

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

10.1 million
Number of self-employed workers.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as cited in the Statistical
Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 592

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

26.4 million
Number of female workers 16 and older in management, professional and related occupations. Among male workers 16 and older, 24.7 million were employed in management, professional and related occupations.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey

http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

27%
Percentage of workers 16 and older who work more than 40 hours a week. About 7 percent work 60 or more hours a week.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as cited in the Statistical
Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 589

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

4.1
Median number of years workers have been with their current employer. About 10 percent of those employed have been with their current employer for 20 or more years.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as cited in the Statistical
Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 598

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

10.3 million
Number of independent contractors.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as cited in the Statistical
Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 595

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

16.1 million
Number of labor union members nationwide. About 12 percent of wage and salary workers belong to unions, with Alaska, Hawaii and New York having among the highest rates of any state. North Carolina has one of the lowest rates, 3 percent.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as cited in the Statistical
Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 650

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

-5.3%
Percentage decline in employment in the United States, between September 2008 and September 2009. Employment declined in 329 of the 334 largest counties (large counties are defined as having employment levels of 75,000 or more).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cewqtr.pdf

-14.5%
Percentage decline in Elkhart County, Ind., between September 2008 and September 2009, the largest decline in employment among the 334 largest counties. Los Angles County saw the largest numerical loss over the period: 278,000.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cewqtr.pdf

1.7%
Percentage increase in employment in Yakima County, Wash., between September 2008 and September 2009, the largest percentage increase among the nation’s 334 largest counties.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cewqtr.pdf

5.9 million
The number of people who work at home.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey

http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

Another Day, Another Dollar

$46,367 and $35,745
The 2008 real median earnings for male and female full-time, year-round workers, respectively.
Source: Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2008

http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/income_wealth/cb09-141.html

$1,506
Average weekly wage in Santa Clara, Calif., for the third quarter of 2009, the highest among the nation’s 334 largest counties.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

http://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/cewqtr.pdf

Hot Jobs

53%
Projected percentage growth from 2006 to 2016 in the number of network systems and data communication analysts. Forecasters expect this occupation to grow at a faster rate than any other. Meanwhile, the occupation expected to add more positions over this period than any other is registered nurses (587,000).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as cited in the Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2010, Table 605

http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/

Early, Lonely and Long — the Commute to Work

17.7 million
Number of commuters who leave for work between midnight and 5:59 a.m. They represent 13 percent of all commuters.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey

http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

76%
Percentage of workers who drive alone to work. Another 11 percent carpool and 5 percent take public transportation (excluding taxicabs).
Source: 2008 American Community Survey

http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

25.5 minutes
The average time it takes people in the nation to commute to work. New York and Maryland had the most time-consuming commutes, averaging 31.6 and 31.5 minutes. (They are not significantly different from one another.)
Source: 2008 American Community Survey

http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

3.5 million
Number of workers who face extreme commutes to work of 90 or more minutes each day.
Source: 2008 American Community Survey

http://www.census.gov/acs/www/Products/users_guide/index.htm

MEDIA RELEASE

Mauna Lani Resort introduces the first annual “Taste of Mauna Lani Restaurant Month.”

The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii, The Shops at Mauna Lani and Huli Sue’s have partnered to offer a variety of tantalizing, affordable menu selections during the month of September.

Participating restaurants include Brown’s Beach House, Hale Kai Restaurant and Norio’s Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar at The Fairmont Orchid, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Tommy Bahama and Monstera at The Shops at Mauna Lani, and Huli Sue’s Restaurant located at the Mauna Lani Golf Club House.

A pre-fixe two course lunch will be offered at all locations open for lunch (including Hale Kai Restaurant, Monstera, Tommy Bahama and Huli Sue’s) for only $17 and a three course pre-fixe dinner will be offered for just $35 (Brown’s Beach House pre-fixe will be offered for $45).

“This is a wonderful opportunity for kamaaina and visitors alike to be able to experience the delicious offerings of world class restaurants at an attractive price” said Debbie Parmley, Vice President of The Shops at Mauna Lani.

“It is our hope that Taste of Mauna Lani Restaurant Month becomes an annual event, providing an opportunity for diners to experience restaurants that they may not normally frequent,” she said.

Each guest purchasing a “Taste of Mauna Lani” lunch or dinner will receive a free 4-D Movie Ride card. There is an additional incentive as well, when guests dine at three or more participating restaurants during the month, they will be entered to win prizes such as a two night stay at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii, and more.

The Taste of Mauna Lani Restaurant Month begins Monday, Sept. 6 and will run through Thursday, Sept. 30.

For more information, call 885-9501.

MEDIA RELEASE

The Hartz Mountain Corporation Recalls Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats Because of Possible Salmonella Health Risk

The Hartz Mountain Corporation is voluntarily recalling one specific lot of Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats for Dogs due to concerns that one or more bags within the lot may have been potentially contaminated with Salmonella. Hartz is fully cooperating with the US Food and Drug Administration in this voluntary recall.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems, all of whom are at particular risk from exposure and should avoid handling these products.

Salmonella symptoms may include fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea in both dogs and humans. Anyone experiencing the symptoms of Salmonella infection should seek immediate medical attention. Owners of dogs exhibiting these symptoms should also seek veterinary assistance.

Hartz Mountain Corporation is recalling 74,700 8-oz bags of Hartz Naturals Real Beef Treats for Dogs, lot code BZ0969101E, UPC number 32700-11519, which were imported by Hartz from a Brazilian supplier, Bertin S.A., and which were distributed to a number of customers in the United States. While regular testing conducted by Bertin (prior to shipment to the US) did not detect the presence of Salmonella in any packages of this product, random sample testing conducted by FDA did indicate the presence of Salmonella. Hartz is aggressively investigating the source of the problem.

Although Hartz has not received any reports of animals or humans becoming ill as a result of coming into contact with this product, Hartz is taking immediate steps to remove the product from all retail stores and distribution centers. Dog owners having purchased this product should check the lot code on their bag, and, if the code is not visible, or if the bag has lot code BZ0969101E imprinted thereon, they should immediately discontinue use of the product and discard it in a proper manner.

Consumers can contact Hartz at 1-800-275-1414 at any time with any questions they may have and for information on how to obtain reimbursement for purchased product.

MEDIA RELEASE

Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa announces “Hot Time in Hawaii,” its newest package for guests of the oceanfront Kona coast resort.

“Hot Time in Hawaii” highlights one of Hawaii’s most unique activities for adventurers – the option to see sizzling red hot lava by land or sea as it flows in to the Pacific Ocean.

Take a day trip to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park – Sheraton Keauhou Bay is the nearest resort to park, which is an International Biosphere Reserve and Hawaii’s only World Heritage Site.

Once in the park, hike in to the Thurston Lava Tube, stop at scenic outlooks along the Crater Rim drive, peer in to the smoldering caldera, and picnic in a rain forest while enjoying a Sheraton Keauhou power-packed box lunch for two.

Then meet up late in the day with the folks from C Big Island for a thrilling Lava Boat nighttime tour to really feel the heat as lava pours in to the ocean.

For guests preferring to let someone else do the driving, there is the option for guided trips to the Volcano with pickup at Sheraton Keauhou Bay for an all-day tour that includes 4-wheel-drive excursions to green and black sand beaches and a nighttime hike or lava boat tour. Combo tours are also available.

Sheraton Keauhou Bay provides guests the necessary information so that they may work directly with C Big Island Tours to create their own perfect “Hot Time in Hawaii” excursion.

“Hot Time in Hawaii” includes ocean view accommodations in one of Sheraton Keauhou Bay’s newly refreshed guest rooms, two complimentary steaming hot cups of Mama’s 100% Kona Coffee from Keauhou Bay Coffee Co. each morning, one power-packed box lunch for two on day of choice and two complimentary Lava Flow cocktails from Crystal Blue Terrace each evening.

Rates begin at just $204 per night, double occupancy ocean view (plus applicable taxes and daily $15 Resort Charge which includes in-room internet, self-parking, Keauhou Trolley service and more). Package requires a three-night minimum stay. Request rate plan LAVAPKG.

Package subject to availability and blackout dates including Sept. 15-16 and Oct.5-10. Valid through Dec. 20, 2011.

* Note: National Park entry fee $10 per vehicle. Guided lava boat tour rates begin at $150 per person. Health and age restrictions apply to all tours. Tours subject to cancellation due to unfavorable weather or lava flow conditions and minimum bookings.

— Find out more:
www.SheratonKeauhou.com

MEDIA RELEASE

2011 Small Business Awards Nominations Now Open

Honolulu, HI – Nominations are being accepted for the prestigious SBA Small Business Awards for 2011 until Friday, November 19, 2010. The SBA honors continue to be one of the most competitive, comprehensive and visible awards presented to small businesses in the state. With a record of recognizing excellence in small business for more than 20 years, past SBA winners have included outstanding small companies such as Bale Sandwich and Bakery, Baldridge and Associates Structural Engineering, Inc., Old Lahaina Luau, L&L Drive In, Rising Sun LLC, Hailemaile General Store, Leather Soul, Martin and MacArthur, Mountain Apple Company, and Pictures Plus.

The 2011 SBA award categories include:

• SBA’s Small Business Person of the Year
• Entrepreneurial Success Award
• Family-Owned Business of the Year
• Small Business Exporter
• Young Entrepreneur of the Year
• Minority Small Business Champion Advocacy Award
• Women in Business Champion Advocacy Award
• Veteran Small Business Champion Advocacy Award
• Financial Services Champion Advocacy Award
• Home-Based Business Champion Advocacy Award

Any individual or organization may submit a nomination for an SBA Small Business Award. The required nomination forms with detailed information for each of the ten award categories can be found and downloaded from the web at the Hawaii Small Business Development Center Network site, www.hawaii-sbdc.org . Completed nomination forms should be submitted to the SBA District Office at 500 Ala Moana Boulevard, Suite 1-306, Honolulu, HI 96813 by 4:00 p.m. on November 19, 2010. For more information, call SBA at 808-541-2990.

MEDIA RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: Satellite T135, Satellite T135D and Satellite ProT130 Notebook Computers

Units: About 41,000 worldwide

Manufacturer: Toshiba America Information Systems Inc., of Irvine, Calif.

Hazard: The notebook computers can overheat at the notebook’s plug-in to the AC adapter, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Toshiba has received 129 reports of the notebook computers overheating and deforming the plastic casing area around the AC adapter plug, including two reports of minor burn injuries that did not require medical attention and two reports of minor property damage.

Description: This recall involves certain Toshiba Satellite T135, Satellite T135D and Satellite Pro T130 notebook computer models. “Toshiba” is printed on the top of the notebook computer. The model name and number are printed on a label on the bottom of the notebook computers.

Sold at: Electronics stores and other retailers nationwide and online, including at Toshibadirect.com and other websites, from August 2009 through August 2010 for between $600 and $800.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately download the latest version of Toshiba’s BIOS computer program to their notebook computer at http://laptops.toshiba.com/about/consumer-notices. This new computer program will detect whether the notebook computer is overheating, and if so, disable the notebook computer’s external power and display a message directing the consumer to contact Toshiba for a free repair. Consumers who do not have Internet access should contact Toshiba to arrange for installation of the updated BIOS.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Toshiba at (800) 457-7777 anytime or visit the firm’s website at http://laptops.toshiba.com/about/consumer-notices

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1157

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

MEDIA RELEASE

The Public Relations Society of America – Hawaii Chapter awarded one of their highest accolades, a Koa Anvil Award, to Hawaii Island Humane Society for the non-profit’s efforts in reputation and brand management.

Through a strategic combination of public relations, community outreach, social media, paid media placement such as weekly “Rescue Me” ads and grassroots strategies, Hawaii Island Humane Society has built better awareness of their mission and goals.

An improved website and a revamped quarterly newsletter have also helped bring attention to the needs and goals of Hawaii Island Humane Society.

“This past year we really focused on raising our community’s knowledge of issues such as spaying, neutering and microchipping,” said HIHS Executive Director Donna Whitaker. “We feel we have made great strides in those areas and in broadening community understanding of some of the challenges we face including the constant need for pet food, pet adoptions, volunteers and foster homes.”

Hawaii Island Humane Society services the entire island of Hawaii with animal shelters in Kona, Waimea and Keaau. Whitaker added that it is through the efforts of their staff and volunteers that they are able to accomplish so much with so little.

— Find out more:
www.HIHS.org